IV Therapy in the San Francisco Bay Area
Start With the Symptom, Not the Menu
A demanding schedule, strenuous activity, travel, or illness can leave the body feeling depleted. Yet fatigue, nausea, headache, and dehydration have many possible causes. IV therapy should begin with understanding the symptoms, not simply selecting a drip from a menu.
NorCal Plastic Surgery offers medically screened IV hydration, nutrients, and selected medication-based infusions for appropriate patients. Each appointment includes a review of health history, medications, and potential contraindications before treatment.
IV therapy is available at our office in Tiburon.
What Is IV Therapy?
IV therapy delivers fluid and selected ingredients directly into a vein through a small catheter. Because the infusion enters the bloodstream, it bypasses absorption through the digestive tract.
This route is useful when intravenous fluid, medication, or nutrient replacement is clinically appropriate. It does not mean every vitamin or ingredient produces a greater wellness benefit when given intravenously. Higher bioavailability is not the same as proven effectiveness.
IV therapy may support hydration or deliver selected ingredients, but it does not replace balanced nutrition, restorative sleep, oral hydration, medical diagnosis, or evidence-based treatment.
IV Therapy Options and Pricing
The following formulations and prices reflect the options currently listed by NorCal Plastic Surgery. Final treatment depends on medical screening, and an infusion may be modified, deferred, or declined when it is not appropriate.
The Power Drip | $250
The Power Drip contains vitamin B12, B-complex vitamins, magnesium, and lysine. It is offered for patients seeking hydration and nutrient support during periods of increased activity or a demanding schedule.
An NAD add-on is available starting at $200. Results vary, and neither formulation should be expected to correct persistent fatigue, impaired concentration, or reduced performance caused by an undiagnosed medical condition.
The Cold Crusher | $300
The Cold Crusher contains vitamin C, zinc, and glutathione. It is intended as supportive wellness care for selected patients.
This infusion does not prevent or cure a cold, influenza, COVID-19, or another infection. Fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, significant dehydration, or worsening symptoms require appropriate medical evaluation.
Don't Call It a Comeback | $350
This infusion contains ondansetron, commonly known as Zofran; ketorolac, commonly known as Toradol; B-complex vitamins; and famotidine, commonly known as Pepcid. These ingredients may be considered for selected symptoms such as nausea, headache, or gastrointestinal discomfort after clinical screening.
Because the formula includes prescription medications, eligibility depends on medical history, current medications, allergies, and the likely cause of the symptoms. Ketorolac may be unsuitable for patients with certain kidney, stomach, bleeding, cardiovascular, or medication-related risks.
IV therapy is not a substitute for urgent care when vomiting is persistent, a headache is sudden or severe, dehydration is significant, or symptoms may indicate alcohol poisoning or another serious condition.
Forever 21 | $300
Forever 21 contains glutathione and vitamin C. It is offered for patients interested in antioxidant and general wellness support. An NAD add-on is available starting at $200.
This infusion should not be expected to reverse aging or "detox" the body. The liver, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal system perform the body's normal detoxification functions, and evidence supporting generalized anti-aging or cosmetic benefits from IV wellness infusions remains limited.
Pre/Post Op | $300
The Pre/Post Op formulation contains vitamin C, vitamin B12, B-complex vitamins, lysine, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. It is offered as nutritional support for selected patients around a procedure.
Any preoperative or postoperative infusion must be coordinated with the operating surgeon and anesthesia team. IV therapy does not replace medical clearance, adequate nutrition, prescribed medications, or formal postoperative care. Surgical instructions always take priority.
NAD | $200 per 125 mg
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, participates in cellular energy metabolism. Injectable NAD is promoted for energy, cognition, and healthy aging, but evidence supporting these benefits in otherwise healthy adults remains limited.
Patients considering NAD should receive clear information about the proposed dose, anticipated benefit, potential reactions, and product sourcing before treatment.
Who May Be a Candidate for IV Therapy?
IV therapy may be considered for an adult who has completed medical screening, understands the treatment's limitations, and has no condition or medication that makes the proposed infusion inappropriate.
Candidacy depends on the ingredients. Relevant considerations include:
- Current symptoms and how long they have been present
- Heart, kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal disease
- Blood pressure and electrolyte disorders
- Diabetes
- Bleeding conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Allergies and previous infusion reactions
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Vitamins, supplements, and herbal products
- Recent illness, surgery, or hospitalization
- Alcohol or substance use
Patients with significant heart or kidney disease may be at greater risk from intravenous fluid or electrolytes. Symptoms that are severe, persistent, recurrent, or unexplained may require diagnostic evaluation before treatment.
What Happens During an IV Therapy Appointment?
The appointment begins with a review of symptoms, medical history, medications, allergies, and the proposed ingredients. Vital signs or additional screening may be completed when appropriate.
A small catheter is inserted into a vein, usually in the arm, and the infusion is administered gradually. Appointment length depends on the formulation, infusion rate, venous access, and individual tolerance.
Patients are monitored during treatment and should immediately report pain, burning, swelling, dizziness, nausea, chills, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or any unexpected sensation. The infusion can be paused or stopped if a concerning reaction occurs.
After the catheter is removed, a small dressing is placed over the site. Many patients return to their routine afterward, although temporary soreness, bruising, lightheadedness, or fatigue may occur.
What Results Can You Expect?
Response depends on the reason for treatment. A patient who is genuinely dehydrated may notice improvement after receiving appropriate fluid. Someone who is not dehydrated or nutrient deficient may notice little change.
Any perceived increase in energy or well-being may be temporary. IV therapy does not correct chronic sleep loss, inadequate nutrition, anemia, thyroid disease, infection, medication side effects, or other underlying causes of fatigue.
Repeated treatment should be based on a meaningful response and continued clinical appropriateness rather than a fixed wellness schedule.
What Are the Risks of IV Therapy?
Possible risks include pain, bruising, bleeding, vein irritation, infection, dizziness, fainting, infiltration of fluid into surrounding tissue, allergic reaction, electrolyte imbalance, medication interaction, and fluid overload.
Individual ingredients carry additional risks. Prescription medications have contraindications and possible adverse effects. Excessive vitamin or mineral doses may be harmful for selected patients. Sterile compounded products also require appropriate preparation and sourcing because contamination or incorrect concentration can cause serious injury.
Breathing difficulty, facial swelling, chest pain, severe chills, weakness, fainting, or a rapidly worsening reaction requires immediate medical attention.
When Should You Seek Medical Care Instead?
IV wellness therapy is not appropriate for symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency.
Seek urgent care for:
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Fainting or confusion
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
- A sudden or unusually severe headache
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent or uncontrolled vomiting
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Suspected alcohol poisoning
- Rapidly worsening illness
A wellness infusion should never delay diagnosis or treatment of a potentially serious condition.
Why Choose NorCal Plastic Surgery for IV Therapy?
The value of IV therapy lies in appropriate selection, not the number of ingredients in the bag. Screening should determine whether an infusion is reasonable, which components may be suitable, and when a different form of care is more appropriate.
NorCal Plastic Surgery provides IV therapy within a medical practice where health history, medications, surgical plans, and other treatments can be considered together. This is particularly important when an infusion contains prescription medication or is being considered around surgery or alongside another wellness service.
Frequently Asked Questions About IV Therapy
Does IV therapy work faster than drinking water?
IV fluid enters the bloodstream directly and may rehydrate an appropriate patient more rapidly than oral fluid. That does not make it necessary for every person who feels thirsty, tired, or mildly depleted. Most healthy adults who can drink and retain fluids can often rehydrate orally. The cause and severity of the symptoms should determine the route.
Does IV vitamin therapy boost immunity?
IV vitamins should not be described as a guaranteed immune boost. Vitamins and minerals support normal immune function, but receiving additional nutrients does not necessarily strengthen immunity when no deficiency exists. IV therapy does not prevent or cure influenza, COVID-19, or other infections and should not delay testing or treatment.
Can IV therapy cure a hangover?
No. An infusion may provide fluid or selected symptom relief, but it does not instantly reverse alcohol's effects. Confusion, slow or irregular breathing, seizures, repeated vomiting, pale or blue skin, or an inability to awaken may indicate alcohol poisoning and require emergency care.
Is IV therapy safe before or after surgery?
It may be appropriate for selected patients only when coordinated with the surgical team. Vitamins, minerals, medications, and fluid administration may affect the perioperative plan. IV wellness therapy does not replace preoperative clearance, prescribed medication, adequate nutrition, or postoperative follow-up.
How often should I receive IV therapy?
There is no universal schedule. Frequency depends on the reason for treatment, ingredients, response, medical history, and continued appropriateness. Persistent fatigue, headaches, nausea, or dehydration should be evaluated rather than managed indefinitely with repeat infusions.
Are IV vitamin cocktails FDA-approved?
Individual vitamins and medications may be approved for specific uses, but a compounded wellness infusion is not automatically FDA-approved as a complete formula. Compounded drugs do not undergo the same premarket review for safety, effectiveness, and quality as approved medications. Patients may ask about the ingredients, sourcing, preparation, and clinical rationale.
Is there downtime after IV therapy?
Most patients have little interruption to their routine after an uncomplicated infusion. Temporary bruising, soreness, lightheadedness, or fatigue may occur. Recovery depends on the ingredients and individual response. Patients should follow any activity or hydration instructions provided after treatment.
How much does IV therapy cost?
Current listed prices range from $200 for 125 mg of NAD to $350 for the Don't Call It a Comeback infusion. Other options range from $250 to $300, with certain add-ons available at an additional cost. Prices and formulations may change, and treatment remains subject to clinical eligibility.
Schedule an IV Therapy Consultation
IV therapy should be selected for a clear reason, with a realistic understanding of what the infusion may and may not accomplish. The NorCal Plastic Surgery team will review your symptoms, health history, medications, and proposed ingredients before determining whether treatment is appropriate.
Request a consultation at our Tiburon office, which serves patients throughout Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Request a consultation at the Tiburon office in Marin County by calling (415) 727-9666. You may also schedule a consultation online.
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